we have a ton of improvements to the demo today! we're also making changes to ensure the fastest runs feature teamwork and routing diversity. please keep sharing feedback so we can make this your favorite game to play and speedrun. ːtabbycatː
run improvements and new mechanics
the environment changes from discovering lost cats are permanent, even after you save them. (we want the routing to be consistent long term for everyone)
holding anything in a crystal ball, like cats, now has ~10% max air speed penalty. (reducing the viability of solo runs beating teamwork runs sorry not sorry)
throwing objects now has knockback when airborne. upwards knockback is ~50% effective. (we're reducing the viability of solo runs beating teamwork runs, while also adding additional tech into the game)
bunnyhopping changes
we’re making changes to reduce the dominance of bunnyhopping while keeping it valuable as skill to learn. we’re also improving and refining how it interacts with the movement abilities.
overall max air speed and air strafing speed acceleration has reduced meaningfully. with optimal hops, speed builds up to roughly ~3x running speed
fixed dashes destroying momentum when air strafing at the same time
dashes now help you build permanent momentum when bunnyhopping. more at low speed and down to zero at high speed
luna changes
Luna’s air strafing accelerates 10% faster than Foam, so she can build momentum faster
Luna dash strength reduced by 14% (she'll still be able to cross the same distances, but we're taking a bit of excess speed to bring her in line with Foam's kit)
foam changes
Foam has a 14% higher max air speed compared to Luna, so he has a higher top speed when air strafing
Foam's double jump now is only fireable forward or backwards, similar to dashing. double jumping while moving sideways will send you forward, so bunnyhopping is easier
Foam's gains 10% air acceleration when double jumping, removed upon landing
Foam's dash strength increased by 14%
Foam’s basketball shooting animation is now left-handed to match his preference
quality of life
added a speed display for the HUD, you can turn it on in the graphics settings and customize its vertical offset
increased max horizontal and vertical sensitivity for controller settings
the game now warns you if one player is out of date, when you attempt to join
the game now warns you if you click the invite friends button with the steam overlay disabled
ace badges are now not counted in 100% completion for the game
we now have a speedrun.com leaderboard
checkpoints now spawn the characters and dreamcat directly on the ground
stage changes
ring ring's lost cat Teto is now a bit easier to reach. this shouldn't affect any speedy runs, but should help first time explorers have a good time
call to action's initial hole area has been simplified and rock moved to make starting runs easier
moved the sign in overhang to be a bit more out of the way
overhang swingies are adjusted to minimize waiting for cycles (let me know if I missed something)
forest vista silver, gold, platinum times adjusted to be slightly easier
lost cavern added +0.5s to the ring challenge and added an extra platform at the end to make throwing it in at the end easier
adjusted the grass to the left of spawn in here kitty kitty to be a bit easier to climb and also not be in the way of throws
lotus flowers now have updated watercolor visuals
crystal cube cracks now crack more .. crackily and better (idk just play and see)
exploit fixes
when you are being pushed, you no longer can have someone stand on your head
fixed an exploit where you could leave the checkpoint without starting the timer
fixed an exploit where the timer would freeze instead of continuing
fixed an exploit where you could place the cat inside your character and get sent flying
bugs
fixed issue where jump input got stuck while attempting a double jump
fixed menu music getting a volume bump when going back to menu
fixed lost cat portals missing some sound magic
fixed small bugs with Russian and Portuguese translations
fixed reset request sound playing twice in splitscreen
fixed wishlist button clickable area being small
fixed swingies not reseting properly for the guest player